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[Global Times reporter Zhao Jueyun] Whether Israel's retaliation against Hezbollah in Lebanon will further escalate the situation in the region is a question that is attracting attention from many countries. According to Reuters and other media reports on the 29th, many countries including the United States and France are taking diplomatic actions to prevent the escalation of military conflicts.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, file photo

The Israeli-occupied town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights was attacked by rockets on the 27th local time, causing dozens of casualties, including children. Israel believes that the attack was launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon and vowed to retaliate. Reuters said that in view of the current situation, the United States is stepping up its efforts to avoid a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

According to reports, Hezbollah in Lebanon denied launching the above-mentioned attack. However, the Israeli Security Cabinet authorized Prime Minister Netanyahu on the 28th to decide how and when to respond to Hezbollah's rocket attack in Lebanon. Several sources told Reuters that the current focus of diplomatic actions is to limit Israel's response and urge the Israeli army not to target the densely populated Lebanese capital Beirut and the city's southern suburbs or key infrastructure such as airports and bridges.

John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the U.S. National Security Council, told the media on the 29th that the U.S. government believes there is still time and space to resolve the issue through diplomatic means, and is in ongoing discussions with Israeli and Lebanese diplomats to continue to "support efforts to reach a diplomatic solution."

According to CNN, Lebanon revealed that it has received assurances from a third party that Israel's response will be limited. Reuters quoted Elias Boussabo, deputy speaker of the Lebanese parliament, as saying that Israel can avoid the danger of a major escalation by not attacking the capital and its surrounding areas. "If they avoid civilians and avoid Beirut and its suburbs, then their attack may be well thought out," Boussabo said. But Reuters said that two diplomats from the Middle East and Europe said that Israel has not yet promised to avoid attacking Beirut and its suburbs or civilian infrastructure.